Producer Accelerator aims to inspire and invigorate the most dynamic, promising new producers in Scotland. The course will take place across 4 days in the form of two 2-day workshops on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of January, and Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March 2024.
Short Circuit will select up to 8 applicants who will develop their producing skills and industry knowledge through in-person development workshops, masterclasses and 1-2-1 mentoring sessions. Participants will take part in training and networking sessions from industry speakers and will be matched with a carefully selected mentor that they will work over three months. There is no cost to participate in the programme.
Sessions included masterclasses on:
“The 2021 Short Circuit Producer Accelerator course came at exactly the right time – after a while of producing independent projects with no formal education, it can be difficult to know you’re doing things right. The programme excelled at combining modules on practical and technical skills, along with soft skills and an overview of the career path in producing. I would highly recommend this course to any aspiring producer.” – Sophie Chater, Producer Accelerator Participant
Producer Accelerator is not currently open for applications, the last deadline was on Tuesday 21st November 2023.
Producer Accelerator will be delivered by Short Circuit with film producer Irune Gurtubai.
Irune’s second feature film, Limbo (Ben Sharrock, 2020), produced through her company Caravan Cinema, was part of the Cannes 2020 Official Selection and had its world premiere at TIFF. She received the BIFA Breakthrough Producer award for her work on the film. Limbo was nominated for two BAFTA awards for Best British Film and Outstanding Debut and it won four BAFTA Scotland Awards including Best Film.
Limbo was one of the top performing British independent films at the UK and Ireland box office for 2021 and received worldwide distribution by Focus Features and Universal Pictures.
Irune produced her first feature film Pikadero in 2015. Pikadero premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and continued to have a successful festival trajectory, winning several awards including the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Critic’s Choice Award at Zurich Film Festival, the FIPRESCI Award and Best Feature Award at Kiev International Film Festival, and the Cineuropa Award to the Best European Film at Brussels IFF, amongst others. Pikadero was released domestically in cinemas across Spain and is now available on VoD internationally.
Prior to that, Irune’s graduation short film Patata Tortilla won two BAFTA New Talent Awards for Best Drama and Best Script. She has also worked at Sales and Distribution company Altitude Films in London and in commercials production in Dubai and Spain.
We encourage Scotland-based producers who have yet to make a funded short film to apply.
Applications are invited from those that have a passion for bringing stories to the screen and are looking to make the transition to fiction from documentary or experimental film, as well as practitioners working in other mediums such as television, theatre and other forms of visual and/or performing arts.
Eligibility Checklist:
Producer Accelerator is an inclusive programme and we are aware that within the screen industry that Disabled and D/deaf people, people of the global majority, women, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex people (LGBTQI+), and those who have been socially and economically disadvantaged by their circumstances and upbringing are proportionately marginalised.
We encourage applications from individuals who are currently under-represented within the sector and seek to foster equal opportunities for new and emerging talent from diverse backgrounds, with support on hand for those who need it.
How much experience should I have had before applying?
We are looking for people who have had some experience in creating or producing short films or might have experience producing theatre. There is no minimum or maximum number of years of experience but applicants must not have received funding from a public funder or broadcaster to produce a short or longer form film.
Do I need to be based in Scotland?
Yes. This programme is open only to producers based in Scotland.
Will I have to travel to Film City Futures in Glasgow to take part?
Yes, this course will be delivered at Film City Glasgow, 401 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 2QJ. If you require support to cover travel expenses, please include this under Access Costs in your application.
What is the time commitment of the course?
The course is not full-time, though you should be prepared to devote significant time to training dates and your own personal development. It is up to you to manage your workload for the course alongside your existing commitments. Key course dates for Producer Accelerator are Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of January, and Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March 2024.
Do I have to pay?
No. This course is free of charge as it aims to support new promising talent whilst breaking down access barriers.
